Friday, March 4, 2022

Wake-Up Call: Fire Out At Ukraine Nuke Plant


Ukrainian authorities said Friday (March 4th) that a fire at a nuclear power plant that's the biggest in Europe had been extinguished after having been ignited by Russian shelling. The regional military administration said there had been damage to the compartment of one of the reactors at the nuclear plant in the city of Enerhodar, but it didn't affect the safety of the power unit. The military administration also said that Russian forces had taken control of the site, and that operational personnel were ensuring its safe operation. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the fire hadn't affected essential equipment and Ukraine’s nuclear regulator reported no change in radiation levels, which was confirmed by the American Nuclear Society.

In other parts of the country, Ukrainian officials confirmed Thursday that Russia had captured the city of Kherson, the first major city they've taken. Ukraine's state emergencies agency said that at least 33 civilians were killed in a Russian airstrike on a residential area in the city of Chernihiv. Video released by the government showed the aftermath of the strike, with smoke spewing out of a high-rise building and firefighters trying to put out the flames. A Russian airstrike destroyed the power plant in the city of Okhtyrka, leaving its residents without heat or electricity, according to the head of the region. Heavy fighting continued on the outskirts of the port city of Mariupol, which has also lost electricity, heat and water, and most phone service, according to officials.

Meanwhile, a second round of talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations was held, during which a tentative agreement was reached to set up safe corridors to evacuate citizens and deliver humanitarian aid. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a third round of talks will be held early next week. But even as talks were held, Russian President Vladimir Putin was reported to hae said in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron he was determined to continue with his attack, quote, "until the end."


In other developments:

Pentagon Direct Link with Russia's Defense Ministry: It was reported yesterday that the Pentagon set up a direct communication link to Russia’s Ministry of Defense earlier this week to avoid the possibility of a miscalculation sparking conflict between Russia and the U.S. The action came as Putin on Sunday ordered his country's nuclear forces on high alert.

New U.S. Sanctions on Putin Inner Circle: The U.S. ordered new sanctions on Russian oligarchs and others in Putin's inner circle , including his press secretary, yesterday, in response to Russia's pounding of Ukraine. The State Department also announced visa bans on 19 Russian oligarchs and dozens of their family members and close associates.

U.S. Gives Temporary Protected Status to Ukrainians: The administration yesterday created a Temporary Protected Status program to protect Ukrainians living in the US from deportation. The 18-month program will apply to Ukrainians who have lived in the U.S. since March 1st, including those on temporarary student, tourist, or business visas. Ukrainians in the U.S. without permission also will be eligible.



➤FED CHAIR WARNS INVASION OF UKRAINE LIKELY TO MAKE INFLATION WORSE: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned yesterday that Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has already increased oil prices, will likely worsen the already high inflation in the U.S. However, Powell, who was speaking before the Senate Banking Committee, said he's committed to doing whatever it will take to slow inflation. The Fed chair had said a day earlier that he'd propose a quarter-point interest rate hike at the Fed’s next meeting in two weeks, which would be the first increase since 2018.

➤EX-OFFICER ACQUITTED IN SHOOTING DURING BREONNA TAYLOR APARTMENT RAID: Former Kentucky police officer Brett Hankison was acquitted yesterday of charges that he endangered neighbors when he fired into Breonna Taylor's Louisville apartment during a botched drug raid that led to the 26-year-old Taylor's death in March 2020. Hankison didn't fire any of the bullets that killed Taylor, and none of the officers involved in the raid were charged in the woman's death, which was one of several police killings of Black people that got national attention in the wake of George Floyd's 2020 death. Hankison was charged with wanton endangerment for firing through sliding-glass doors and a window of Taylor’s apartment, with several bullets going through the wall of a neighboring apartment. His attorneys said he fired because he thought his fellow officers were, quote, "being executed." Taylor's boyfriend had opened fire when the officers burst in with a no-knock warrant, believing intruders were breaking in. Taylor was killed by the officers' return fire. Hankison was fired by Louisville Police for shooting blindly during the raid.

➤PURDUE PHARMA REACHES NEW SETTLEMENT OVER OPIOIDS: Oxycontin maker Purdue Pharma reached a nationwide settlement Thursday over its role in the opioid crisis, which comes after an earlier settlement that was appealed by eight states and Washington, D.C. They agreed to the new settlement after Purdue owners the Sackler family increased their cash contribution to as much as $6 billion and accepted other terms. The agreement is meant to protect the family from a flood of lawsuits. The Sackler family said in a statement, "While the families have acted lawfully in all respects, they sincerely regret that OxyContin, a prescription medicine that continues to help people suffering from chronic pain, unexpectedly became part of an opioid crisis that has brought grief and loss to far too many families and communities." Most of the money will go state and local governments, Native American tribes, and some hospitals, with the requirement that it be used to fight the opioid crisis.

📺RUSSIA-BACKED TV NETWORK RT AMERICA SHUT DOWN: The Russia-backed TV network RT America shut down yesterday and laid off most of its staff. CNN said an employee memo from general manager T&R Productions cited "unforeseen business interruption events" for the immediate shutdown of the network, the pro-Vladimir Putin American version of Russia's RT network. DirecTV, one of only two providers carrying the network in the U.S., announced earlier this week that it was dropping the channel, and former Saturday Night Live star Dennis Miller quit the morning show he hosted on the network.

➤TRUMP JR.'S FIANCEE GUILFOYLE SUBPOENAED BY HOUSE JAN. 6TH COMMITTEE: Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancee, Kimberly Guilfoyle, was subpoenaed by the House committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol yesterday after she abruptly ended a voluntary interview last week. The committee is seeking testimony and additional records from Guilfoyle, who spoke at the rally then-President Donald Trump held on the White House Ellipse earlier on January 6th. Lawmakers also say she raised funds for the rally and was in direct contact with key participants and organizers.

➤DOES BIRTH ORDER HOLD YOU BACK IN LIFE? EXPERTS SAY IT MIGHT: Psychology experts break down some of these roles, saying the “hero or perfect child” is likely to be the firstborn, especially the first born female, and is an over-achieving child given high amounts of praise and positive attention for their success. But, the hero child risks becoming dependent on success in the future, meaning they have a huge fear of failure and carry more responsibility than necessary. While the “peacekeeper or caretaker” is most likely to be a middle child, and is a child “who assumes an adult role by acting as a mediator between other members of the family.” 

In adulthood, peacekeepers can become people pleasers that avoid conflict. Another role could be “the scapegoat,” most often the youngest or second born, and is the opposite of the “hero” child. They have issues fitting in or relating to their family members and can often get blamed for problems that have nothing to do with them. As an adult, they are likely to develop positive traits such as being highly conscientious and resilient, but they are also more likely to attract toxic friendships or abusive relationships, and may be more likely to self-sabotage. 

Meanwhile, the “compliant/lost child” is most likely to be a middle child, and is overlooked or ignored by the family, retreats from conflict and will often spend a lot of time alone or make deep connections with pets. As an adult they are likely to be fiercely independent and good problem solvers, but lack decent social skills, and tend to have higher chances of mental health issues like anxiety or depression. 

Finally, “the mascot” is most likely to be the youngest child, and is viewed as funny and light-hearted. As an adult the mascot is focused on themselves, and uses humor to cover serious unresolved issues.

➤CAN YOU ADD ‘PARENTING’ TO YOUR RESUME NOW? LINKED IN SAYS YES:  LinkedIn users now have a new option to explain gaps in their resume. In the employment section, there’s a new option to add a “career break,” and one can choose from a dropdown menu of reasons to explain. There are many options, including full-time parenting; bereavement; caregiving; personal goal pursuit; and layoff/position eliminated. This is an important change as on a practical level, screener bots often scan and disqualify resumes, or LinkedIn profiles, that show a gap in employment without explanation. But the change could also reflect changing attitudes about extended breaks from work. A recent survey showed half of hiring managers said that career breaks are becoming more common, and 46 percent said they see job seekers who have taken career breaks as an untapped talent pool.

⚾MLB-PLAYERS' UNION MEET FOR 90 MINUTES: MLB and the players' union met for 90 minutes Thursday, two days after Commissioner Rob Manfred canceled Opening Day and each team's first two series of the regular season after the labor talks collapsed. The work stoppage, which began when MLB locked out the players on December 2nd, is the first labor battle to cause games to be canceled since the 1995-'95 strike that wiped out the World Series. It's not know when the next negotiating day will be.

 

⚽RUSSIA TO APPEAL INTERNATIONAL SOCCER BAN TO COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT: Russia's Football Union announced yesterday that it will appeal its ban from international soccer competitions to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. FIFA and UEFA barred Russia from its soccer competitions, including the upcoming World Cup qualifying playoff, last week after it invaded Ukraine. The men's national team captain, Artem Dzyuba, responded to the ban Wednesday, posting on Instagram, in part, "War is terrifying. I am shocked by human aggression and hate, which is moving to a larger scale every day. I am against discrimination based on your nationality. I am not ashamed to be Russian. I am proud to be Russian. I don't understand why athletes have to suffer now."

🏀DURANT SCORES 31 POINTS IN NETS RETURN: Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant led the team with 31 points last night as he returned from being out since mid-January with a knee injury. But it wasn't enough to get the Nets over the top, as they fell to the Miami Heat 113-107. The game was the first for Durant since January 15th.

🏀KRZYZEWSKI'S LAST HOME GAME IS SATURDAY: The last home game of legendary Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski's career will be Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium, as Duke plays North Carolina to close the regular season. The Hall of Fame coach, who announced his retirement last summer, said Thursday that he told his staff that morning, "Who would’ve ever thought? It’s my Senior Day." Duke expects some 80 of Coach K's former players to be there Saturday for the game, which had the cheapest tickets on StubHub selling for $3,250 yesterday. The 75-year-old has a college-coaching record 1,196 victories and has five NCAA championships since his career began in 1975.

🏈NFL SUSPENDING COVID PROTOCOLS: The NFL and the players' union have agreed to suspend all league-wide Covid-19 protocols effective immediately, according to a memo sent to teams yesterday that said the decision was, quote, "based on current encouraging trends regarding the prevalence and severity" of the coronavirus, ESPN reported. Many of the strongest protocols had already been dropped by the end of the 2021 season, but now there will no longer be mask requirements or surveillance testing, regardless of vaccination status. Teams must still comply with any state or local public health regulations, and can impose their own mask policies if they want to. The memo also leaves open the possibility of returning some protocols if changing circumstances warrant then.



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